Spokesperson of The United Liberation Movement for West Papua

Woordvoerder ULMWP

Press release: Raki Ap appointed ULMWP Spokesperson

September 21, 2024 in News, Press Release

 

Top Lines:

  • Raki Ap has been appointed spokesperson of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP);

  • Mr Ap will be the chief point of contact for the West Papuan liberation movement to the international media;

  • Mr Ap can be reached at raki.ap@ulmwp.org 

Details

Raki Ap was previously Spokesperson for the ULMWP’s Green State Vision and the Free West Papua Campaign (FWPC). Having performed these roles very effectively, ULMWP President Benny Wenda and Prime Minister Reverend Edison Waromi have decided to promote Mr Ap to the position of ULMWP Spokesperson.

Mr Ap is now mandated to speak on behalf of the entire West Papuan liberation movement. He has the full confidence of the ULMWP Executive and will bring all the expertise and experience he has accumulated to this important position. He is tasked with expanding knowledge of and support for West Papua in the international media, representing the ULMWP and its aims to politicians and civil society figures worldwide, and mobilising support for the ULMWP and its Green State Vision.

 

Mr Ap can be reached for comment on West Papuan or ULMWP matters at raki.ap@ulmwp.org 

 

Visit official website of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua

https://www.ulmwp.org/press-release-raki-ap-appointed-ulmwp-spokesperson 

 

 

 

Raki's First Speech – MSG Summit 2025

In July 2025, at the MSG Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiji, Raki delivered his first address as ULMWP spokesperson. The Indonesian delegation walked out, and protested ULMWP participation. 

Backed by President Wenda and the ULMWP delegation, Raki shifted the diplomatic landscape. MSG leaders reaffirmed West Papuan participation and placed human rights on the agenda as a Melanesian matter.

Delegates said: Raki's speech changed the dynamic. It won hearts and minds and influenced PNG and Fiji position towards West Papua. 

 

First video statement (2025) by Raki Ap during mission with Interim President Benny Wenda and Prime Minister Waromi.

We are very pleased to announce that Interim President Benny Wenda has been accredited by a UN member state to officially participate in the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. His delegation consists of Interim Prime Minister Edison Waromi and ULMWP International Spokesperson Raki Ap. By the decision of the first ULMWP Congress in 2023, President Wenda and Prime Minister Waromi are fully authorized and responsible for realizing the objectives, as established in the ULMWP roadmap, on behalf of the West Papuan people. Bilateral meetings have been scheduled.

Raki Ap first Press statement in Port Moresby - Papua New Guinea.

August 2024 

ULMWP President Benny Wenda and Raki Ap in Vanuatu for 44th Independence Anniversary | West Papua

 

July 2024 - Port Vila - Vanuatu

Podcast with Honorable Matthew Wale – then Opposition Leader, now Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. What he said then, matters even more today.

In this special podcast episode, Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale, special guest Raki Ap, and Guest Host Solomon Yeo discuss why West Papua's full membership to the Melanesian Spearhead Group is important. Disclaimer: The music used is a panpipe cover by Inamauri Panpipers featuring Kase, Stra and Mikaere. We do not own the COPYRIGHT of the song. This video is purely for educational purposes only. No profits are to be made from the use of the music. For fair use only. Lyrics & music belongs to the rightful owners.

British & Dutch Parliamentary events – 

Dutch Parliament 2026 >

The Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee convened a hearing on the human rights situation in West Papua on 21 April 2026, followed by a screening of the documentary The Promise at the House of Representatives. Convened by: Don Ceder - Member of the Dutch House of Representatives (ChristenUnie) Speakers: Benny Wenda – ULMWP President Alex Sobel – Labour MP (United Kingdom), Chair of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) Raki Ap – ULMWP International Spokesperson Waida Vogel-Bwefar – ZMP Foundation (Self-Determination for Moluccans and Papuans)

< Speaking Moments in  the Dutch Parliament on West Papua

London All-Party Parliamentary Group for West Papua >

London All-Party Parliamentary Group for West Papua emphasized the urgent need for a visit by the UN High Commissioner to West Papua. This visit is critical because the Indonesian government continues its systematic campaign of ecocide and genocide. For example:

  • Villages in Intan Jaya, Oksibil, Nduga, Maybrat, and Puncak Jaya are being bombed from the air using drones and helicopters, leaving communities terrified, displaced, and vulnerable.
  • Land grabbing and environmental destruction are spreading across Merauke and other regions of West Papua, devastating forests, rivers, and the livelihoods of indigenous peoples.

The UN High Commissioner’s visit is essential — the people of West Papua are calling urgently for international attention and action, as the humanitarian crisis grows increasingly severe year after year.

< UK government reaffirms support for UN visit to West Papua

In a historic moment witnessed by ULMWP President Benny Wenda, MP Alex Sobel pressed UK Minister Catherine West to exclude West Papua from the 2024 UK-Indonesia critical minerals deal until the long-promised UN human rights visit takes place.

Minister West reaffirmed UK support for the visit—demanded by over 110 states, including all Pacific Islands Forum nations and the EU.

The deal risks fueling ecocide and militarization in West Papua, home to Indonesia's largest nickel reserves. Without exclusion, the UK risks complicity in green colonialism.

Growing parliamentary scrutiny follows recent debates in both Houses.

Hearing in Dutch Parliament calls for UN visit to West Papua | ULMWP >

A Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in the Dutch Parliament—the former colonizer of West Papua—demanded Indonesia immediately facilitate a UN Human Rights fact-finding mission. This is the third in a series of ULMWP and IPWP hearings.

International pressure is mounting. Over 100 countries have demanded the visit, including all Pacific Islands Forum nations, the OACPS, the EU, the UK, Spain, and the Netherlands. Melanesian leaders have also called for the visit before the next MSG meeting.

Speakers included ULMWP President Benny Wenda, Prime Minister Edison Waromi (via video), and other ULMWP representatives. Demonstrations took place across West Papua in support.

The Brussels Declaration—calling for the visit and accusing Indonesia of blocking oversight—has now been signed by over 55 Parliamentarians worldwide.

Parliamentarians and diplomats can sign by contacting office@ipwp.org.

ULMWP Interviews & Statements – 

Raki on West Papua, Leadership, and the Future.